Nigeria to set up new Cement Plant in 2012

Nigeria will next year set up a new cement plant, Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga has disclosed. Aganga said in Abuja during an interactive session with Commissioners of Commerce and Industry in the country that the establishment of the cement plant would not only create job opportunity for the Nigeria teeming youths, but would as well strengthen the nation’s economy.

The minister though emphasized on tighter collaboration with other ministries and relevant agencies, said this will fast track the transformational agenda of Mr. President on the nation’s development.

In his words: “I want to emphasis here that rather than being jack of all trade, we must focus on areas where we have comparative advantage and develop it to the world’s level. About 95 per cent limestone is used in cement production and this we have in abundance in this country. That is why the Federal Government is doing everything possible to ensure that come next year, Nigeria will establish the largest cement plant in the whole world.”
He also said Nigeria has comparative advantage in the area of iron ore for mining, coal, gold, oil and gas, and of course, agricultural and agro allied products.

While emphasizing on the need for collaboration among the three tiers of the government, Aganga enjoined relevant agencies and parastatals to work together with the ministry to achieve this feat.
“Mining is one area the world leaders are making it big right now. My ministry is already collaborating with Japan and other countries abroad in ensuring that our iron ore minerals are adequately explored. We are working with the ministry of agriculture, mineral resources and others in ensuring that within the shortest time, Nigeria will be great producers of all these resources.

“I have said this before and I can make bold to say it again that we can not achieve this great feat alone. That is the essence of this meeting where we will put heads together to ensure that things work out.